Senior Director Operations (m/w/d)

As a cutting-edge division of Canadian Solar, a global leader founded in 2001, we stand at the forefront of manufacturing high-performance solar panels, inverters, and advanced energy storage solutions. In this fast-growing, high-impact industry, our deep commitment to sustainability drives everything we do, creating innovative technologies that power a brighter, greener future.

Across Canadian Solar's powerful ecosystem-including CS Power Systems, CSPowerTech, e-STORAGE, Recurrent Energy, MSS, and CSI Solar-we're deeply invested in our people's success. If you're passionate about renewable energy and want to "Make the Difference" by building a lasting positive impact on the planet and communities everywhere, join us at CS Power Systems-where your talent can help shape the clean energy revolution.

Primary Responsibilities

Master Planning

1. Build and continuously improve planning parameters and master data discipline (lead times, yields, routings, pack specs, MOQ, constraints).
2. Lead exception-based planning for disruptions (material shortages, downtime, quality holds) and execute rapid re-planning with cross-functional alignment.
3. Establish and lead the multi-site planning operating system (S&OP cadence, supply reviews, capacity reviews, plan governance).
4. Own the Master Production Schedule (MPS) and weekly/monthly rolling plan, including freeze windows, change control, and escalation.
5. Drive capacity planning (RCCP) and bottleneck management; align shift patterns, labor availability, maintenance windows, and line readiness.

Logistics

1. Lead inbound/outbound logistics operations across three sites, including carrier strategy and (if applicable) 3PL governance.
2. Optimize transportation cost, load planning, routing, consolidation, and shipping cycle times; manage detention/demurrage where applicable.
3. Ensure compliance with shipping documentation, trade compliance (as applicable), and customer packaging/labeling requirements.

Order Fulfillment

1. Own end-to-end order fulfillment governance from order release to shipment and delivery performance; ensure transparency and accountability.
2. Define and enforce ATP/CTP logic, allocation rules, priority framework, and escalation process to protect plant stability while meeting customer commitments.
3. Partner with Sales/Commercial and Customer Service to translate demand into executable supply signals without creating production disruption.
4. Manage backlog health, expedite controls, customer-critical order war room processes, and root cause closure for misses.
5. Establish reporting dashboards (OTIF, backlog aging, lead time, expedite rate) and drive corrective actions to improve reliability.

Industrial Engineering (IE)

1. Own IE strategy across sites: line balancing, standard work, labor standards, takt/cycle time optimization, OEE improvement.
2. Lead productivity initiatives: layout optimization, material flow design, ergonomics, automation feasibility, and indirect labor optimization.
3. Build labor models and staffing plans aligned with the master schedule; quantify productivity targets and savings.
4. Drive structured problem solving (A3/8D), Kaizen programs, and sustainment mechanisms to prevent regression.
5. Partner with Ops/Quality/Maintenance to reduce scrap/rework and improve process capability through data-driven improvements.

Special Projects / Transformation

1. Lead cross-site transformation initiatives (ERP/MES/WMS enhancements, planning system upgrades, operational standardization).
2. Own project governance: charters, milestones, ROI/business cases, risk/issue management (RAID), and executive reporting.
3. Drive ramp-up readiness programs (new lines, new products, capacity expansion) with clear deliverables across people/process/equipment/material.
4. Lead cross-functional integration projects (e.g., organizational redesign, cross-site operating model, KPI system harmonization).
5. Ensure sustainable change adoption through training, SOP updates, and audit mechanisms.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years in manufacturing operations leadership; experience leading planning + logistics + IE is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to run multi-site operations cadence and deliver measurable improvements in delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Strong toolkit: Lean manufacturing, standard work, constraint management, root cause analysis; strong data/KPI governance.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management across Sales/Commercial, Planning, Ops, Quality, and Finance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume discrete manufacturing (e.g., solar/module/cell, electronics, automotive, battery).
• ERP/MES implementation or transformation program experience.
• Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt) or equivalent CI leadership.

Leadership Competencies

• High rigor, strong execution discipline, and clear accountability management.
• Ability to balance customer promise with plant stability; strong decision-making under constraints.
• Change leadership and talent development across functions and sites.
• Executive-level communication and structured reporting.